FCC Proposes to Expand Online Public File Requirements

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”), the FCC proposes to expand the requirement that public inspection files be posted to the FCC’s online database to radio broadcasters, cable operators, satellite TV, and satellite radio licensees. In 2012, the FCC adopted online public file rules for broadcast television stations that required them to post public file documents to a central, FCC-hosted online database rather than maintaining the files locally at their main studios. This NPRM proposes to expand this requirement to other FCC licensees including radio stations.